Inter-locking stacking segment jar

ABSTRACT

This invention pertains to a Container that is held together by a threaded mid-section (FIG.  1 ). The container comes apart at the mid-section to allow user to more easily access contents at lower level of the container. Additional mid-sections (FIG. B) can be attached to increase the holding capacity of the container.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This invention is different from any other product or patent because all patents that are the most similar to the Inter-Locking Stacking Segment Jar are small stackable self-contained jars that lock on to one another; each with its own contents.

BACKGROUND/SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Inter-Locking Stacking Segment Jar is unique in that the contents are throughout the entire container and each addition is part of the whole when assembled. The upper attachments of the jar can be removed to more easily access the contents at the lower portion of the jar as the contents are removed. Attachment can also be added to accommodate more contents. This is possible while maintaining the ability to re-fasten the original/existing lid at the original location or to the top of an additional segment, or the lower segment of the jar.

The Inter-Locking Stacking Segment Jar can be used to hold multiple and varied contents. The jar can contain edibles such as mayonnaise or peanut butter, substances with high viscosity which have a resistance to flow. The jar can contain industrial oils; smaller jars can contain all types of cosmetics. The purpose of the jar is to facilitate access to contents, usually those with high viscosity, that are not easily reached in an archetypal container.

To provide an example: a jar of potato chip dip from any distributer is usually, or commonly of a similar size, shape and dimension. The contents of the jar (Ex: French onion dip) is removed and consumed directly from the container by a person wielding a potato chip or potato crisp. As the person consumes more and more of the dip it becomes more difficult to dip a chip without getting dip from the inside of the jar on ones hand. In order to avoid this problem the person with the Inter-Locking Stacking Segment Jar will simply remove the top segment of the jar by twisting the portions of the jar in opposite directions along the threaded midsection of the container. With the upper portion of the container removed the user/person can now easily access the dip in the lower section of the jar.

MANNER AND PROCESS OF MAKING AND USING INVENTION

This Inter-Locking Stacking Segment Jar can be manufactured from multiple materials. The materials that would most likely be used include glass, plastics, metals, ceramics, paper and paper materials such as cardboard, porcelain, etc.

The sections of the container can either be attached to one-another with the use of male and female threads; a female thread on the top and a male thread on the bottom. Preferably the thread pattern will be reversed from the threads used on the top opening as to avoid opening the mid-section when applying torsion in an effort to remove the lid.

If a male and female thread system is not used, both top and bottom segments of the container will make use of a male thread. Both male threads of the top and bottom will screw and be threaded to a joining female ring made from metal, plastic, etc.

A glass Inter-Locking Stacking Segment Jar can be manufactured in the same fashion as ordinary jars and glass containers are made. One method is melting raw materials (crushed recycled glass, sand (silica), soda ash, limestone, etc.) in a furnace until it is molten. The molten glass is sheared and cut into gobs; a distribution system sends the gobs to an individual-section-forming machine that forms the molten gobs into the mold shape.

The mold shapes are the individual segments of the top portion of the jar and the bottom portion of the jar. The individual sections are cooled rapidly and pass from a molten liquid to a solid glass form. Plastic containers can be manufactured using a similar process.

The ring can be made by inserting molten plastics or metals into a form and then allowing the objects to cool, and be removed. The metal can be tempered for increased strength and durability.

In the standard jar manufacturing process glass is often tempered. Temperatures of the glass are raised to the melting point then gradually lowered again to eliminate stress in the glass, this makes the glass stronger and more shock resistant. An additional cold spray or coating can be applied to the glass segments to maintain inherent strength. Both of these practices and others may be used to increase durability and strength in the glass.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an exploded view of the Inter-Locking Stacking Segment Jar. FIG. 1 is comprised of a lid (FIG. A), a midsection with a male threaded top and female threaded bottom (FIG. F) and a male threaded base segment (FIG. D).

FIG. 2 depicts an exploded view of the inter-Locking Stacking Segment Jar making use of two upper-segment container-expanders (FIG. F), a male threaded base segment (FIG. D), and a container lid (FIG. A).

FIG. 3 depicts a container lid (FIG. A) over a male threaded base segment (FIG. D). FIG. A(1) is an aerial view of the lid (FIG. A)

FIG. 4 depicts an assembled Inter-Locking Stacking Segment Jar. FIG. F and FIG. D are threaded together with the use of male and female thread system. The container is sealed with lid (FIG. A)

FIG. 5 depicts an exploded view of the Inter-Locking Stacking Segment Jar. FIG. 5 is comprised of a lid (FIG. A), a top and bottom male threaded midsection (FIG. B), a female threaded connector ring (FIG. C) and a male threaded base segment (FIG. D).

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the Inter-Locking Stacking Segment Jar making use of two connector rings (FIG. C), two upper segment container expanders (FIG. B), a male threaded base segment (FIG. D) and a container lid (FIG. A).

FIG. 7 depicts the lower segment (FIG. D) of the Inter-Locking Stacking Segment Jar and lid (FIG. A). Figure A(1) is an aerial view of the lid (FIG. A) and Figure C(1) is an aerial view of the female threaded connector ring.

FIG. 8 is an assembled Inter-Locking Stacking Segment Jar. FIG. D and FIG. B are threaded together with the use of a female threaded connector ring (FIG. C. The container is sealed with lid (FIG. A) 

1-8. (canceled)
 9. An Inter-Locking Stacking Segment jar/container, is comprised of; stacking segments, the upper segment of the container is attached to, or removed from, the lower segment in several ways; segments make use of a thread system, the upper segment contains a female thread pattern while the bottom segment contains a male thread pattern, or vice versa; the upper and lower segments of the container can also be joined with the use of a ring, when the upper and lower segments both contain a male thread pattern, the ring contains a female thread pattern for the segments to be screwed into and joined; segments can also be disassembled by removing a band from around the midsection.
 10. An inter-Locking Stacking Segment Jar, comprised of, a upper and lower segments is sealed with a lid/cap; once the lid is removed from the upper segment of the jar it can either be reapplied to its original position or applied to the lower segment of the container once the upper segment is removed.
 11. The inter-Locking Stacking segment jar, comprised of; upper and lower segments, can accommodate more content, by adding additional upper segments. 